Sources: Big East, ESPN Will Not Reach Deal In Exclusive Window

Sources said that the Big East "will not agree to a media rights deal with ESPN before the end of next week's 60-day exclusivity window, allowing the conference to negotiate with other networks." The conference will potentially be able to enter talks with both Fox and NBC Sports, "which has shown the most interest in the league." Sources said that the Big East "may still end up re-signing with ESPN, but the league is banking on multiple networks bidding on its media rights deal to drive up its worth" (ESPN.com, 10/26).